Gun reform groups unite in L.A. to remember Sandy Hook tragedy

Social activists and religious groups will gather Saturday in Los Angeles to remember the 26 students and teachers killed during the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting and to call on Congress to act on new gun-control laws.

The three-hour event, marking the one year anniversary of the mass shooting in Newtown, Conn., is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. at the Federal Building at 11000 Wilshire Blvd.

A “No More Silence” bell-ringing will start the event, which will include music and speeches from religious leaders as well as a candlelight vigil at sunset. Dozens of similar events were planned across the country.

“The tragedy at Sandy Hook was a wake-up call for many of us and we can no longer be silent about our nation’s raging epidemic of gun violence,” said Virginia Classick, a California chapter leader for the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. “Nearly eight children and teens are shot and killed every day in America. It is time our voices are heard.”

Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, the Brady Campaign, Organizing for Action, Women Against Gun Violence and the progressive-Jewish community led IKAR are some of the event's sponsors.